Simplify the operation
Reduce (simplify) the fractions to their lowest terms equivalents:
- To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms equivalent: divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, GCF.
The fraction: - 120/12
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 120 = 23 × 3 × 5
- 12 = 22 × 3
- Multiply all the common prime factors: if there are repeating prime factors we only take them once, and only the ones having the lowest exponent (the lowest powers).
- GCF (120; 12) = 22 × 3 = 12
- 120/12 = - (120 ÷ 12)/(12 ÷ 12) = - 10/1 = - 10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 120/12 = - (23 × 3 × 5)/(22 × 3) = - ((23 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 3))/((22 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3)) = - 10/1 = - 10
The fraction: - 130/18
- 130 = 2 × 5 × 13
- 18 = 2 × 32
- GCF (130; 18) = 2
- 130/18 = - (130 ÷ 2)/(18 ÷ 2) = - 65/9
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
- 130/18 = - (2 × 5 × 13)/(2 × 32) = - ((2 × 5 × 13) ÷ 2)/((2 × 32) ÷ 2) = - 65/9